Trends in higher education

College fees rise as state funding has not recovered from recession cutbacks.

During the Great Recession, 48 states cut spending on higher education, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. That funding has not rebounded. North Carolina colleges and universities lost 25 percent in state funds since 2008. South Carolina schools lost about 40 percent. To make up for those cuts schools are charging students a variety of special fees.

Johnson C. Smith University President Ron Carter is urging the Department of Education to reconsider changes to the Federal Parent PLUS loan. Carter blames those changes for the school's recent three million dollar budget cut.

The cost of going to a public university has been rising faster in North Carolina than in most other states, but it's still relatively cheap here compared to the rest of the country. Those are a few highlights from a report the College Board released Wednesday.